Photographs by Laurie @ Horizons Photography

My family

My name is Laurie. I started blogging in 2005, but it wasn't until five years ago that I began Through the Lens of Motherhood. I have always loved writing, always expressed myself better when able to write out my thoughts. This is my therapy (much cheaper too!). I write about my journey of faith in the midst of everyday circumstance, all of our UPS and all of our DOWNS. I write because everyday I see God through the 'lens' of motherhood and I feel the need to share the amazing things I see.

This is my amazing husband Tim. He's a the Senior Pastor at Little Trinity in downtown Toronto, he has a clear call to teach the gospel, and just as importantly to walk with people on a one on one level to see their walk with Jesus go deeper. Tim loves golf and football, he is an awesome Dad to two boys who adore him. He also happens to be my best friend!

Joshua Andrew, our first born. He is often my reason for writing. This little man is our miracle. He was diagnosed with a CHD during pregnancy, the particular diagnosis was pulmonary atresia.

Pulmonary atresia
(PA) No pulmonary valve exists, so blood can't flow from the right ventricle into
the pulmonary artery and on to the lungs. The right ventricle acts as a blind
pouch that may stay small and not well developed. The tricuspid valve is
often poorly developed, too. An opening in the atrial septum lets blood exit
the right atrium, so venous (bluish) blood mixes with the oxygen-rich (red)
blood in the left atrium. The left ventricle pumps this mixture of blood into
the aorta and out to the body. The only source of lung blood flow is the
patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), an open passageway between the pulmonary
artery and the aorta. If the PDA narrows or closes, the lung blood flow is
reduced to critically low levels. This can cause very severe cyanosis. Early
treatment often includes using a drug to keep the PDA from closing. A surgeon
can create a shunt between the aorta and the pulmonary artery to help increase
blood flow to the lungs. A more complete repair depends on the size of the
pulmonary artery and right ventricle. If they are very small, it may not be
possible to correct the defect with surgery. In cases where the pulmonary
artery and right ventricle are a more normal size, open-heart surgery may
produce a good improvement in how the heart works. If the right ventricle
stays too small to be a good pumping chamber, the surgeon can compensate by
connecting the right atrium directly to the pulmonary artery. The atrial
defect also can be closed to relieve the cyanosis.
Pulmonary atresia occurs in about one out of every 10,000 live births.

Having been told all the horrible things that we would NEVER have with our son, after being told to abort, after all of this. He is now 5 1/2 years old. Josh has had four open heart surgeries, 4 catheter procedures and a few resulting strokes. He just underwent his fourth open heart this past summer and he's doing great in recovery! He has overcome, his whole life has been about fighting for everything he has and has achieved. He is my hero. He wears his victories in the scars and smiles that balance his life. He's smart, funny, cheeky and he loves to tease. He builds, and constructs and if it's mechanical you can bet he's trying to figure out how it works. He's also a fierce and protective big brother to his best friend (and sometimes nemesis) Kaleb.

Kaleb Doyle, this is our baby. He's funny, sweet, likes a good snuggle. He's strong willed and stubborn too, which is pretty awesome when you are three! Kaleb has asthma and severe food allergies which have landed him in here on a therapeutic post now and then. He is a character, charming, and chatty and there is nothing he likes better than getting a laugh. He is the one who will sense when you are sad, and throw his arms around you in a deep and all encompassing hug. He's the one who will randomly give you kisses when you spend time with him. Watching him learn and grow has been a joy and I am sure will continue to make my heart sing. Just as Josh looks out for Kaleb, so too does this little man take care of his brother Josh, he holds his hand when it's going to hurt, he tells people not to hurt his brother, and he informs people to be gentle if Josh has a boo boo. These two kids, so different in so many ways are my heart walking.

This is my family. The beautiful people walking this life me, the guys I write about most. They are my muse, and my greatest answers to prayer, my most amazing blessings and God's biggest miracles in my life.